Dental Hygienist jobs in Ames, IA
The median dental hygienist pay in the Ames area is $38.34 per hour ($79,740 a year), with the typical range running from $37.80 to $39.73. That ranks 272nd of 369 U.S. metro areas for dental hygienist pay, and 184th of 332 once local prices are factored in. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ames.
- $38.34median pay per hour, Ames
- $38–$40typical range per hour
- 70dental hygienists employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Dental Hygienist pay in Ames, IA
The metro median is 4% below the Iowa statewide median of $39.79 per hour. Nationally the median is $45.32 per hour. BLS counts about 70 dental hygienists employed in the Ames metro area, 1.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.87).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $36.07 | $75,030 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $37.80 | $78,620 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Median | $38.34 | $79,740 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $39.73 | $82,640 | 12% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $44.21 | $91,960 | 2% below U.S. median |
How Ames ranks
- 272nd of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 184th of 332 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 8 Iowa metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $38.34 median hour buys what $43.16 buys at the national price level, 5% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ames Dental Hygienist pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
- Per year: $69,012
- Per month: $5,751
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ames metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Dental health shortage areas in Story County
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Story County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 17 on a 0 to 26 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for dentists, hygienists and dental assistants is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
Dental Hygienist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $44.67/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $44.67/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $44.67/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $37.88/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $38.69/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $41.81/hr | 76,710 |
Dental Hygienist jobs in Iowa · Dental Hygienist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Ames, IA?
Dental Hygienists in the Ames metro area have a median pay of $38.34 per hour, about $79,740 a year. The middle half earn between $37.80 and $39.73 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ames a good place for dental hygienists once cost of living is counted?
Ames ranks 184th of 332 metro areas for dental hygienist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 272nd of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as a dental hygienist?
Active dental hygiene license in the state of the job. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Ames in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active dental health shortage designation that include Story County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
Does Valorem Health place dental hygienists in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
What do employers near Ames pay dental hygienists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Dental Hygienist roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Hygienist pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other employers
- PDS HealthEverett, WA · 3 postings$77.50/ hr$70–$85
- PDS HealthPortland, OR · 3 postings$69.00/ hr$58–$80
- Smile BrandsBonney Lake, WA · 11 postings$68.50/ hr$52–$72
- BenevisVirginia Beach, VA · 5 postings$65.00/ hr$60–$70
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
345 Hygienist postings with published pay in the US, 190 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Hygienist roles
Open Hygienist roles near Ames, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.